Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

May 15, 2022

 Weekly Schedule of Services

Our annual summer conference is scheduled for July 8-10.

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Proverbs 18:12: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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Forgiven sin looks far blacker because it is forgiven. When we are not afraid of sin’s consequences, we see more plainly its sinfulness. When we have tasted God’s sweetness, we think with more shame of our ingratitude and folly. If God forgets, the more reason for us to remember our transgressions. The man who has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins’ is in danger of finding out that he is not purged from them. There is no gnawing of conscience, nor any fearful looking for of judgment in such remembrance, but a wholesome humility passing into thankful wonder that such sin is pardoned, and such a sinner made God’s friend.

–Alexander McClaren

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James wrote, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3-4) Isn’t it an amazing thought that when we are by the grace of God patient for what we want and need, we will need and want nothing?

–David Eddmenson

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“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED” (John 14:1)

The chapter and verse divisions in the Bible were added some centuries after it was written and compiled. They therefore are not divinely inspired. While they are very beneficial, they should not be too strictly observed. This is especially true in the present instance.

     The first verse in the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel reads: “Let not your heart be troubled.” These words are very encouraging in all circumstances of our lives. But they are especially encouraging to persons who find themselves in the circumstance to which they were first addressed.

     In order to learn this lesson, ignore the chapter division before John 14:1, thereby connecting this text with the passage preceding it, John 13:36-38: “13:36 Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, where are You going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.’ 13:37 Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.’ 13:38 Jesus answered him, ‘Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.’ 14:1 ‘Let not your heart be troubled …’”

     What a comfort saints should here obtain! Although we have the best intentions of always faithfully serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we sometimes fail Him.

     But if we express true repentance to God for our failures, Christ forgives. Christ therefore, knowing that Peter would indeed repent of his failure (see Luke 22:31), therefore comforts Him with “Let not your heart be troubled.”  

–Daniel Parks

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John 14:1: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  Peter was troubled when the Lord informed him that he would soon deny the Lord Jesus three times.  He declares the need of the troubled heart is to believe in God our Father and his Son, Christ Jesus.  The underlying cause of heart trouble is unbelief.  Peter learned that trusting Christ is not only the cure for heart trouble but the key to joy.  Later he wrote, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet BELIEVING, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY” (1 Pet 1:8).  The next time we become troubled, remember these words of our Savior, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

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GOD SPARED NOT

In 2 Peter 2:4-7; several times the word of the Lord says, “God spared not;” the righteous and holy judgment of God fell without any mixture of mercy on many. The angels that fell were judged and cast out. The rebels in Noah’s day were judged and with the flood of God’s wrath. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to ashes for their sinful wickedness. But we also read of God’s mercy to some, Noah and his family were spared. The Lord delivered Lot.

     The Lord knows how to justly deliver His people from the wrath to come without compromising His righteous character (2 Peter 2:9; 1 Thes. 1:9-10).  The Lord our God justly delivers His elect from the wrath to come because He spared not the Lord Jesus Christ from the holy wrath of His anger against our sin (Isa. 53:10; Lam. 1:12; Zech. 13:7). Read this verse slowly; “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:32-22).

     What amazing love the Lord God commends to us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; (Rom. 5:6-10; 1John 4:10). Were it not for His sovereign love, His fetching grace, and the sacrifice of Christ for our sin, we too would eternally suffer the wrath of God. Thank you Lord for the gospel of substitution and satisfaction; (2 Cor.  5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). 

–Tom Harding

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The greatest glory of God is manifest, not in Creation, not in Providence, but in Redemption, in the salvation of guilty, helpless sinners.  God brings more glory to Himself in saving one “dead dog” sinner (II Samuel 9:8), than in the creation or sustaining of this world.  Therefore, it is not with reluctance that God saves sinners, but with joy and delight (Luke 15).  I find this encouraging. What do you think?

–Maurice Montgomery